A tragic mother who killed herself after testifying against her sex abuser felt she had been victimised by the trial's defence team, an inquest heard.

Professional violinist Frances Andrade, 48, was found dead from an overdose of anti-depressants just days after giving evidence that former choirmaster Michael Brewer assaulted her when she was 14.

Levine Andrade said his wife of 25 years had found the trial at Manchester crown court traumatic.

He said: "She said it seemed that the defence barrister was attacking her personally. She felt completely defenceless and felt that she wasn't prepared enough for the trial.

"She felt as if she was on trial.

"Appearing in court brought everything up."

Mum-of-four Mrs Andrade was abused by respected choir director Brewer when she was a pupil at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester in the 1980s.

She went on to allege she was raped at Brewer's house when she was aged 18 and that his then wife, Hilary, joined in by indecently assaulting her.

She confided in her husband about the abuse she had suffered early on in their relationship but did not want to report it.

But matters were taken out of Mrs Andrade's hands when a friend went to the police on her behalf, Surrey Coroner Richard Travers was told.

Hilary and Michael Brewer were later jailed (Image: PA)

Mrs Andrade was prescribed anti-depressants after this.

"The moment it was reported to police she fell into incredible despair," Mr Andrade told the inquest in Woking, Surrey.

"It was like the truth was hitting home and wasn't something that she wanted reported to the police because it brought back horrible memories from the past."

Shortly after she gave evidence, Mr Andrade found his wife dead in her bedroom at their home in Guildford, Surrey, on January 24.

Mrs Andrade was declared dead by paramedics.

A post mortem concluded she died of an overdose of anti-depressants.

Coroner Mr Travers was told she had previously tried to end her life on a number of occasions by taking overdoses.

Brewer, 68, was convicted on five counts of indecent assault following the trial in January 2013 and was jailed for six years. He was later stripped of his OBE award given to him for services to music in 1994.

His ex-wife, Hilary Brewer, was also convicted of indecent assault.

The inquest is expected to last one week and was adjourned until tomorrow.